That was not a bad start, Joe; Bob Moncur looks at Kinnear's impact

Byline: BOB MONCUR

JOE KINNEAR asked for one thing and one thing only when he shocked the world of football to take over Newcastle United.

It wasn't a wheelbarrow full of cash to come and do the job, it wasn't a fivestar stay in town while he was here, and it wasn't a gold-plated seat in the stands while he served his two-match ban.

No, all Mr Kinnear asked for was to be judged upon his results.

Well, after one game in charge I would like to take the opportunity to do exactly that after the promising display in the 2-2 draw at Everton.

True, nobody connected with the black-and-whites could have enjoyed the opening 35 minutes.

And Big Joe managed to miss the goals as he was scrambling back and forth from his seat in the stands.

But the main thing was he saw the opening pummelling by Everton and responded to it.

Steven Taylor lifted United with a great header, and that gave Newcastle a platform to build on.

Newcastle took that opportunity and were level straight after Kinnear's halftime team-talk.

United clearly reacted to that on another tough day for Newcastle.

It saddened me to see that on a day when Joe should have been taking the credit for a great result, some people were looking for negatives.

I don't want to talk about it too much, but I think that it's all pretty petty that the national Press chose to have a pop at the Newcastle manager before and after the game.

And as for the fourth official getting a policeman to remove him away from the dugout, I find it all baffling.

I think that the best way Joe can respond is by ramming it down his critics' throats with good results.

It's a long way until the next game on October 20 against Manchester City, but I have to say that it is one I am looking forward to.

Usually it is a case of stewing in your juices if you go into international fortnight without a win, but Newcastle can reflect positively on their showing at Everton.

And if Joe can continue getting results like this, there is every chance he can achieve his aim of leaving United in a better position than when he started.

IN an interview with LEE RYDER

CAPTION(S):

GOOD START: Joe Kinnear impressed by reacting to the poor start at Goodison Park on Sunday and switching things round

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